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While service to children and families is the purpose of Global Volunteers programs, working alongside local people is the best way to experience culture and traditions in your host country.  Learn more about some of the customs, language and history that comes alive when serving for one, two or three weeks with Global Volunteers.

Cultures and Traditions Greece

Christmas & New Years Traditions In Greece!

Christmas or (Xristouyenna- Christouyenna) meaning “the birth of Christ” is one of the most important celebrations within the Greek Orthodox church. Traditions vary depending on which region or Island one is from. Here are a few of the popular traditions celebrated in Greece as reported by Greece Country Manager Sam Pinakoulaki: Kalikantzari During the 12-day […]

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December 25, 2021/by Sam Pinakoulaki
https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Untitled-design-2021-12-30T051007.988.png 788 940 Sam Pinakoulaki https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2014-GlobalVolunteersLogo-Web.png Sam Pinakoulaki2021-12-25 20:00:002021-12-30 06:19:57Christmas & New Years Traditions In Greece!
Cultures and Traditions, Free Time Options Peru

Peruvians “Go Crazy” for Panettone During Holiday Season

Panettone on Christmas

Daniel Salazar, former Peru Country Manager, presents this list of the top three crazy things Peruvians do on Christmas. This is #2: Panettone on Christmas. #2. Peruvians love their Panettone on Christmas: For some reason, Peruvians love to eat certain foods during particular times of the year or holidays. We will talk about that later. For now, […]

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December 16, 2021/by Global Volunteers
https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Panettone-Peru-Holiday-Season.jpg 576 1024 Global Volunteers https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2014-GlobalVolunteersLogo-Web.png Global Volunteers2021-12-16 12:36:002021-12-26 14:00:38Peruvians “Go Crazy” for Panettone During Holiday Season
Cultures and Traditions, Free Time Options Peru

Favorite Peruvian Christmas Tradition: Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate During Christmas

 Daniel Salazar, former Peru Country Manager, writes about the top three crazy things Peruvians do on Christmas. This is #1: Hot Chocolate During Christmas. #1. Hot Chocolate During Christmas Another Christmas tradition in Peru is drinking hot chocolate. Hot chocolate in Peru is made out of cacao melted with milk and sometimes mixed with coffee and spices. Of […]

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December 16, 2021/by Global Volunteers
https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Kids-having-dinner-on-Christmas-eve-at-childrens-home-in-Peru.jpg 1125 1500 Global Volunteers https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2014-GlobalVolunteersLogo-Web.png Global Volunteers2021-12-16 12:36:002021-12-26 13:53:32Favorite Peruvian Christmas Tradition: Hot Chocolate
Cultures and Traditions, Free Time Options Peru

Fireworks on Christmas: A Crazy Peruvian Custom

Fireworks on Christmas

Daniel Salazar, former Peru Country Manager, writes about “three crazy things Peruvians do to celebrate Christmas.” This is #3: Fireworks on Christmas. #3 Fireworks on Christmas: Everyone loves fireworks – except for dogs. You might have nice memories of fireworks on the 4th of July or on your trip to Disney. That is nice, but Peruvians take […]

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December 15, 2021/by Global Volunteers
https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Fireworks-Lima-Perú.jpg 999 1500 Global Volunteers https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2014-GlobalVolunteersLogo-Web.png Global Volunteers2021-12-15 12:36:002021-12-26 13:48:01Fireworks on Christmas: A Crazy Peruvian Custom
Cultures and Traditions Greece

Simply Greek – Cultures and Traditions of Civilization’s Birthplace

simply Greek- culture and Traditions in Greece

When you think of Greece, what comes to mind? The rise of democracy? The Olympic Games, ancient history and philosophy, Minotaurs and mythology? Perhaps you think of magnificent temples, the clear waters of the Aegean Sea, sandy beaches, mountain villages, or small windy roads blocked by sheep and goats. Greece is also known as the […]

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December 8, 2021/by Sam Pinakoulaki
https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Canva-Woman-Wearing-Black-Scoop-neck-Cap-sleeved-Blouse-Eating-on-Cafeteria-With-White-Table-Arrangements.jpg 1000 1500 Sam Pinakoulaki https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2014-GlobalVolunteersLogo-Web.png Sam Pinakoulaki2021-12-08 10:00:002021-12-08 16:18:08Simply Greek – Cultures and Traditions of Civilization’s Birthplace
Cultures and Traditions Poland

“Reymontówka” – Volunteers’ Home Away from Home in Poland

Reymontówka is a beautiful and comfortable 200-year-old restored manor house in Siedlce county.

Volunteers serving in Poland get a unique opportunity to stay at a beautiful and comfortable 200-year-old restored manor house named Reymontówka in Siedlce County. It is, for many volunteers, a highlight of their service program. Reymontówka has a very rich history, having been purchased with award funds by Nobel Laureate Władysław Reymont’s widow, later being […]

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May 24, 2021/by Dorota Wierzbicka
https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Reymontowka-poland.jpg 1125 1500 Dorota Wierzbicka https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2014-GlobalVolunteersLogo-Web.png Dorota Wierzbicka2021-05-24 10:48:202021-05-24 10:48:22“Reymontówka” – Volunteers’ Home Away from Home in Poland
Cultures and Traditions, Reaching Children's Potential, Staff Worldwide Tanzania

Drawn Together by Service, Benjamin and Elkana are United for Life

For decades, Global Volunteers’ programs around the world have united humanitarians of all backgrounds and ages in service. Often, deep friendships result through the experience of living and working with other volunteers, local people, and Global Volunteers staff. such was the experience of Doctor Benjamin Makafu and RCP Caregiver Elkana Valence in Ipalamwa, Tanzania. Although […]

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March 3, 2021/by Maggie Bjorklund
https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Benjamin-and-Elkana-7.jpg 1000 1500 Maggie Bjorklund https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2014-GlobalVolunteersLogo-Web.png Maggie Bjorklund2021-03-03 11:00:002021-03-03 11:10:51Drawn Together by Service, Benjamin and Elkana are United for Life
Cultures and Traditions, Volunteer Voices Cuba

Bringing in a New Year in Cuba

Six-time Global Volunteer Ann Sweeney has served in Cuba three times – including twice for New Year’s celebrations, where she enjoyed Cuban graciousness and tradition. She writes of making connections and nurturing friendships as the focus for Cubans at this very special time of year. By Ann Sweeney After the first train whistle blasted in […]

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January 2, 2021/by Maggie Bjorklund
https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Cuba-3-resized.png 570 1500 Maggie Bjorklund https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2014-GlobalVolunteersLogo-Web.png Maggie Bjorklund2021-01-02 11:00:002020-12-30 12:50:59Bringing in a New Year in Cuba
Cultures and Traditions, News and Updates Peru

Children With So Little Share Big Love With a Weary World

Children in Peru dancing at the Sagrada Familia children's community with volunteers during Christmas season

In the midst of all the challenges of 2020 and a seemingly never-ending pandemic, our community partner in Peru, Sagrada Familia children’s home, sends a Christmas video message to all Global Volunteers alumni and supporters. by Peru Country Manager Daniel Salazar Full of hope and meaning, this message lifts me up and remind us all […]

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December 21, 2020/by Global Volunteers
https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Children-in-Peru-dancing-at-the-Sagrada-Familia-childrens-community-wth-volunteer-Laura-Ciquera-duing-Christmas-season.jpg 851 1500 Global Volunteers https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2014-GlobalVolunteersLogo-Web.png Global Volunteers2020-12-21 11:41:192021-11-25 22:43:15Children With So Little Share Big Love With a Weary World
Cultures and Traditions Italy

September Harvest in Sicily Brings a Labor of Love

Basil & fresh passata = Fresh Italian pasta sauce

On the beautiful island of Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean sea, tourism starts winding down during the month of September. But there’s no rest for our Sicilian friends; in fact, it’s one of the year’s busiest times for local families. It’s harvest time in Sicily. Long-time Volunteer Country Manager Phyllis Thompson shares her […]

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October 6, 2020/by Sam Pinakoulaki
https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Untitled-design-2020-09-07T105000.690.png 788 940 Sam Pinakoulaki https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2014-GlobalVolunteersLogo-Web.png Sam Pinakoulaki2020-10-06 10:00:002020-09-30 12:29:55September Harvest in Sicily Brings a Labor of Love
Page 1 of 14123›»

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